United Way and CROAD Partners Support Albany Fire Survivors

In January 2018, the United Way of the Greater Capital Region partnered with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), American Red Cross, NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (DHSES), NYS Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYSVOAD), and numerous other local organizations to launch the Capital Region Organizations Active in Disaster (CROAD). The goal of this network is to work alongside our local emergency managers and create a regional coordinated long-term recovery plan to guide the efforts of the health and human service sector in the event of a disaster.

Today, the planning work of CROAD went into action by formulating a plan to support the survivors of the September 30th fire in Albany, NY.

Families who were impacted by the fires on Quail Street and Sheridan Avenue should call 2-1-1 if they have not reached out already or been connected with assistance. All assistance requests should go through 211, which will be available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

The American Red Cross Eastern New York Region is providing direct financial assistance to families immediately following the fires, to help with essential needs such as food, safe shelter, clothing, and medications. Catholic Charities will be providing long-term disaster case management for the survivors to help the people rebuild their lives. Other agencies will be contributing to the needs of survivors as they become apparent.

On behalf of CROAD, the United Way of the Greater Capital Region has set up a fund for the Albany Fire Survivors to support mid-term and long-term recovery. The United Way will be providing fiscal oversight of the these funds.

100% of these funds raised by the United Way will go to the fire survivors. These funds can provide critical needs for impacted families such as ongoing shelter, rental assistance, and funds to purchase items such as food, furniture, clothing, and household goods that were identified by the fire survivors as part of their recovery plan.